VICTORIA: The BC division of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released the estimated pension earnings of those government MLAs who have been removed from cabinet, and have announced their intention not to seek re-election.

MLAs eligible for pensions because of 1997 pension legislation, Bill 51, include Gretchen Brewin, Andrew Petter, Penny Priddy, and Joan Sawicki, pensions worth over $2.6 million. Because of the same 1997 changes, the pensions of the Dale Lovick, Dan Miller, and Jan Pullinger were enriched by $881,000.

The 1997 pension legislation changes ended the pension plan for those elected in 1996 and after. It also allowed those elected between 1991 and 1996 to claim pensionable years. Prior to Bill 51, only MLAs who served for two full terms were eligible.

* Assumes inflation adjustment and pension collected as of May 28, 2001